A study in the Journal of Allergy found that cat fur is 3 times more allergenic than dog fur due to the Fel d1 protein. But a poodle is more dangerous than a sphinx!
Professor of immunology Andrei Gromov explained in an interview with KP : “It is not the wool that causes allergies, but the skin particles.”
To check, just run your hand over the fur, then over your face. If itching appears after an hour, your pet is not your friend.
But cats hide another threat: toxoplasmosis.
Parasitologist Olga Ivanova warns: “Pregnant women risk infecting the fetus when cleaning the litter box.”
The solution is to delegate cleaning to other family members or use gloves with chlorhexidine.
In 2023, a case was recorded in Yekaterinburg where a cat that had never gone outside infected its owner with toxoplasmosis through outdoor shoes.
At the same time, it became known that scientists from MIT have created a vaccine against cat allergies.
The drug "CatVac" blocks the Fel d1 protein, but testing will not be completed until 2025.
In the meantime, doctors recommend immunotherapy - a course of injections with microdoses of the allergen.
Dog hair is not harmless either. In 2023, a child in Khabarovsk was taken to intensive care after inhaling a clump of husky hair. “The hair triggered a bronchospasm,” explained pulmonologist Artem Novikov .
But the main danger is saliva.
A study in Veterinary Microbiology found that dogs' mouths harbor 600 species of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains.
The most dangerous wool
It turns out it's rodent hair. Hamsters and guinea pigs secrete antigens that cause asthma.
But if you have to choose between a cat and a dog, the risk is higher for cats. So get tested for IgE antibodies before getting a pet.
At the same time, veterinarians believe that regular brushing of pets reduces the amount of allergens by 70%.
Use furminators with an antistatic coating and wipe your pet with wet wipes after a walk. And also feed your pet salmon oil: Omega-3 reduces skin peeling.
And don't count on "hypoallergenic" breeds like Devon Rex. They also secrete Fel d1.
“The protein level depends on the hormonal status,” says geneticist Anna Petrova . “Sterilized cats are safer.”
Summary
There is no ideal pet for allergy sufferers. But if you dream of a cat, choose light-colored females.
Studies have shown that they produce 20% less allergens than dark cats.
And for dogs, hairless breeds are fine, but only if you're willing to wear sunscreen every day and sweaters in the winter.
